Degrowth from the East – between quietness and contention. Collaborative learnings from the Zagreb Degrowth Conference
Degrowth from the East – between quietness and contention. Collaborative learnings from the Zagreb Degrowth Conference
Author(s): Lucie Sovová, Markus Sattler, Ágnes Gagyi, Eva Fraňková, Ottavia Cima, Thomas S. J. Smith, Ondřej Kolínský, Lilian PungasSubject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Political Philosophy, Environmental and Energy policy, Post-Communist Transformation, Socio-Economic Research, Politics and Identity
Published by: Ústav mezinárodních vztahů
Keywords: degrowth; Central and Eastern Europe (CEE); quiet sustainability; semiperiphery; catch-up development; post-socialism
Summary/Abstract: While degrowth as a plural and decolonial movement actively invites the Global South to be part of its transformative project, the current North South dichotomy threatens to miss the variety of semi-peripheral contexts. Against this backdrop, we aim to contribute to dialogues on degrowth fromthe often-overlooked ‘East’ – specifically post-socialist Central and EasternEurope (CEE). Instead of being viewed as a site for transformative examplesand inspiration for degrowth-oriented socio-ecological transformation,CEE is often portrayed as ‘lagging behind’. Problematising such reductionistnarratives, this essay explores CEE as a lively and rich site of postcapitalistalternatives. Based on two special sessions organised at the 2023International Degrowth Conference in Zagreb, we reflect upon insightsgathered on various degrowth-aligned traditions and practices in CEE witha goal to 1) advance an equitable dialogue between the global degrowthscholarship and the East, and 2) strengthen a context-sensitive degrowthagenda in CEE.
Journal: Czech Journal of International Relations
- Issue Year: 60/2024
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 79-113
- Page Count: 35
- Language: English
